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Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

The mission of the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy is to advance global sustainability and energy solutions through transformational research, interdisciplinary education, and public engagement.

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Environmental and Energy Law Challenges

April 17, 2024
Trienens Institute Faculty Affiliate Robert. A Weinstock reflects on Earth Month as well as the legislation and policy needed to protect our planet

About the Trienens Institute

Collaboration across disciplines and organizations for a sustainable future.

We ask questions that lead to new insights and discoveries.

Discover a diverse range of groundbreaking research initiatives centered in the Trienens Institute, stemming from cutting-edge team science across disciplines. Engage with leading scholars and explore innovative projects that address complex societal issues and push the boundaries of knowledge. 

Research Profiles
What's in Your Water? The Health Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Meet Our Faculty
Meet our diverse faculty who approach complex local and global sustainability and energy challenges with interdisciplinary insights.

Research Spotlight
The Tobin Marks Group partners with GIANTFab Lab for various projects enhancing solar cell production.

Empowering minds for a sustainable future.

Students prepare to be future leaders through coursework and experiential opportunities in sustainability and energy at Northwestern University. The Trienens Institute collaborates across academic departments and with industry to administer an Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability and Energy plus a Master’s of Science in Energy and Sustainability. Additional programs include study abroad and research initiatives. Students engage with renowned faculty from across the University and industry to learn how to make a meaningful impact on society's most pressing challenges.

Student Profile
Northwestern senior discusses the Trienens Institute certificate experience.

Study Abroad Spotlight
Trek to Germany opens eyes of engineering students.

Collaboration is vital to the mission of the Trienens Institute.

Innovative teams bring their unique strengths together to produce transformational research and education initiatives. Alumni play a key role in carrying this mission into the world and giving back to support the next generation. Explore how we foster meaningful partnerships with organizations and individuals to address complex challenges and create lasting positive change in the world.

Annual Symposium
Insights from the 2022 Trienens Institute annual symposium.

Alumni Profile
Meet Yuxi Suo (TGS '18), former graduate student in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern.

Stay Up to Date

Upcoming Events

Apr
22
2024

REACT Core Facility "For the General User" Series

12:00 PM Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road
Join members of the Reactor Engineering and Catalyst Testing (REACT) Core Facility for an event series "For the General ...
Apr
24
2024

Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Fair: Where Creativity and Environmentalism Intersect

11:00 AM Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
Join sustainNU and Norris for our Earth Month Fair. Attendees will learn about sustainability on campus and ways you can...
Apr
25
2024

Shaping Environmental Policy: SPS Alumni Panel

12:00 PM
In Partnership with MA in Public Policy and Administration Student Leadership Council Please join Northwestern Universit...

Featured Event

Environmental fair

Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Fair: Where Creativity and Environmentalism Intersect

April 24, 2024

Join sustainNU and Norris for our Earth Month Fair. Attendees will learn about sustainability on campus and ways you can get involved. The event will include an Arts and Crafts Market aligned with this creativity and environmentalism theme | Learn more